Umesh Katti says those owning TVs, bikes not eligible for BPL cards, UT Khader reacts

Mangaluru: Minister for food and civil supplies Umesh Katti said people possessing Below Poverty Line (BPL) rationcards, despite being ineligible on account of owning either a two wheeeler, TV, fridge or over five acres of land, must surrender them before March 31 or face legal action.

He further said anyone earning more than Rs 1.20 lakh annually should not use BPL cards and has to return it before March 31.  Also, a survey will be conducted for identifying illegal BPL cards to cancel them,

Condemning the statement, MLA UT Khader on Monday, said ” BJP government is ‘anti-poor’. While Congress believed in ‘Garibi hatao’ BJP’s policy is ‘Garibon ko hatao’ BJP government does not care about people. Minister Umesh Katti should have talked about providing new ration cards but he spoke about surrendering BPL cards”

He further said,” Owning of  TV, fridge and two-wheeler is not luxury, it is a necessity. Why did they leave mobile phones? That should have also be included in the list. Rice was cut off from 7 kg to 5 kg. Even though the people of Dakshina Kannada do not eat Ragi, Ragi is being distributed in the district. We also demanded Boiled rice to be provided in the district”

“We strongly condemn this action by the state government. If BJP does not take back its decision,  the government will not survive,” he added